Solar farm officially opened at Edinburgh Airport

A solar farm has been constructed right next to the runway at Edinburgh Airport and it was officially opened by Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes on Wednesday.

The farm extends to 11 acres and will provide more than a quarter of the airport’s electricity. Edinburgh Airport has been using the power source since last year and has run solely on solar power on several occasions during the daytime.

This is the first project of its kind in Scotland supported by the Scottish Government who funded it with a £2.1 million grant to decarbonise the business. The airport bosses say they are working hard to reduce emissions from the airport in line with their own net zero by 2030 goal. Emissions have been reduced by 90% since 2019.

Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport said: “Making sure we have a sustainable future is one of our most important goals, and it’s important that we innovate and harness technology that can help deliver that for the airport.

“The introduction of the UK’s first airfield solar farm is a key part of our Greater Good sustainability strategy, delivering almost 27% of our energy needs and diversifying our energy mix – and we are proud to be an airport that continues to look to innovative solutions to meet our goals.

“It also demonstrates how government and the private sector can work together to help deliver a more sustainable Scotland alongside, in our case, the benefits of air travel and connectivity to the economy.”

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “The Scottish Government is committed to working with the private sector to accelerate Scotland’s transition to a net zero future. Edinburgh Airport’s solar farm is a fantastic example of how government support, combined with private sector appetite and expertise, can deliver real and lasting change.

“By generating clean energy on site, this pioneering project is not only helping one of the country’s most important transport hubs cut emissions but also supporting green jobs, energy resilience and sustainable economic growth. I am proud that Scottish Government funding has played a part in making this vision a reality and showing the kind of leadership we need on the journey to net zero.”

The airport worked with solar experts AMPYR Solar Europe (ASE) to develop, fund and operate the project. Tarun Agrawal, CEO of AMPYR Solar Europe said: “In constructing this solar park, ASE is pleased to have partnered with Edinburgh Airport in support of its “Greater Good” sustainability strategy.

“The Edinburgh Airport project is the first of 6 major solar, BESS and on-shore wind investment projects that AMPYR shareholders have made in Scotland, making them one of the most significant inward investors into the Scottish renewables sector. The commitment shown by Scottish Government has critically provided certainty and confidence, and we look forward to contributing further to Scotland’s energy transition.

“The Edinburgh Airport solar farm further strengthens ASE’s PV and BESS asset footprint in the UK, and reflects our continuing growth as a leading European IPP with world class assets in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.”